Compact vertical axis turbine

Abstract

Disclosed are vertical axis turbines comprising: a turbine shaft; a plurality of helicoidal blades mounted on the turbine shaft, each blade comprising a front face and a rear face; and a plurality of venturis, each venturi comprising a channel extending through each of the plurality of blades from the front face thereof to the rear face thereof.

1 . A vertical axis turbine comprising:
 a turbine shaft;   a plurality of helicoidal blades mounted on the turbine shaft, each blade comprising a front face and a rear face; and   a plurality of venturis, each venturi comprising a channel extending through each of the plurality of blades from the front face thereof to the rear face thereof.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of blades comprises a plurality of stacked horizontal sections, each section being progressively rotated about a central point of the turbine in order to form a series of steps on the rear face of each of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         4 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of sections is rotated about 5° to about 10° relative to a section located immediately therebelow. 
     
     
         5 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of sections is rotated about 9° relative to a section located immediately therebelow. 
     
     
         6 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of sections is hook-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 3 , wherein one or more of the plurality of sections is scalloped on a side forming the rear face of the each of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of each of the plurality of venturis is a straight channel. 
     
     
         11 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the channel of each of the plurality of venturis extends through each of the plurality of blades at an angle relative to the rear face of each of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         12 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 11 , wherein the angle relative to the rear face of each of the plurality of blades is about 20° to about 60°. 
     
     
         13 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 12 , wherein the angle relative to the rear face of each of the plurality of blades progressively decreases from outermost venturis located adjacent an outer edge of each of the plurality of blades to innermost venturis located adjacent an inner edge of each of the plurality of blades. 
     
     
         14 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 13 , wherein the angle relative to the rear face of each of the plurality of blades progressively decreases by about 5°. 
     
     
         15 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 14 , wherein the angle relative to the rear face of the plurality of blades of the outermost venturis is about 50°. 
     
     
         16 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of venturis comprises 30 venturis. 
     
     
         17 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of blades further comprises a trailing edge. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of blades further comprises a shear line extending along a boundary where the trailing edge and the front face of each of the plurality of blades meet. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of blades further comprises a plurality of interlocking arbors extending from the rear face thereof for mounting the plurality of blades on the turbine shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of interlocking arbors comprises 2 interlocking arbors. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . The vertical axis turbine of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades comprises 3 blades.